By Micaela Blitz
JEWISH CARE’s contribution to the community during the pandemic has been rewarded with a prize at the London Faith and Belief Forum Awards.
The event, held at Westminster Abbey, highlighted the vital work of London’s faith and belief communities by bringing together local heroes from across the capital.
Redbridge Jewish Community Centre (RJCC) activity coordinator Timea Kasza and volunteer Sally Caplan received the award for ‘Community Resourcefulness in Response to Covid-19’ on behalf of the charity.
Richard Shone, Jewish Care’s director of community services, volunteering and social work, told the Essex Jewish News that the organisation and everyone involved in it were “honoured” to have been given the prize.
He said: “We are very proud of being presented with this award and thank the community for their support so that we can continue to be here for local older people.
“Our aim is to help to combat the effects of social isolation and provide opportunities for older people from the community to connect with others and enjoy stimulating meaningful activities in a warm and friendly Jewish environment.”
Other recipients of awards included The Paperweight Trust, which offers practical guidance and support to those in crisis across the entire spectrum of the Jewish community. Throughout the pandemic, they helped many who were struggling.
Local winners included Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA), Barking and Dagenham-based Write Back – which runs writing programmes for young people to build self-esteem and community – and Redbridge charity Keeping it Wild, which provides urban nature opportunities.
